A conversation with
Lucie Socrate
We had the privilege of meeting Lucie Socrate, a talented interior architect, who recently opened the doors of her latest project to us: a "marvellous flat" inspired by the vibrant Rio de Janeiro.
Lucie invites us to discover the fascinating story behind the renovation of this unique space, along with the choices that guided every step of the project. Join us for this conversation.
Hello Lucie. If you had to describe yourself in one sentence...
Hello, I'm Lucie Socrate and I'm an interior architect. My mantra is: create joy. Preserve. Dare. I'm obsessed with "not too serious". In short, I create feel-good interiors!
Will you invite us to discover your latest project?
With pleasure! Here we have a 61 m² flat, home to a couple in their thirties. For this project, I was lucky enough to have complete creative freedom, both over the rearrangement (that is, the interior architecture of the space) and its decoration.
We're lucky enough to find ourselves in this "marvellous flat".
Can you tell us more about what inspired you?
The inspiration for this project is Rio, the marvellous city.
The gold and asphalt opus flooring of the Ipanema promenade… The colourful architecture of Santa Teresa and its painted façades… The city really does have a unique, vibrant and warm atmosphere. The other strong decorating choice was to select furniture that is entirely vintage, from floor to ceiling, right down to the light fittings. In the dining room, for instance, I really let myself go and had great fun with the furniture. Everything in it is vintage, without exception.
Actually, do you have any tips to share for not getting it wrong when hunting for secondhand finds?
For vintage light fittings, for example, I’d recommend making sure they’ve been properly rewired and that they work well. Because that can be the trap!
You describe your approach as positive. In what way is it?
Through a responsible, sustainable approach in every aspect: the layout, the vintage sourcing we just mentioned, with Selency in particular, the choice of materials and suppliers, with Plum, who manufactures in France or close by, right down to the more practical elements and the greenery throughout the space.
« By Charlot plants thrive in every space »
What role does greenery play in this flat?
The presence of plants is a true ode to nature, bringing a touch of freshness and life to every corner. A nod to the splendid Jardim Botânico in Rio, one of the most beautiful and expansive gardens in the world
You're struck by this wonderfully joyful atmosphere. How would you define your work on colour?
I went for fearless pairings of warm and cool tones. In the main room, the back wall is painted khaki, which gives it a wonderfully majestic effect and marks out its function as a library. On the ceiling, blush pink adds personality and shows off the lovely cornices to their best advantage. This pairing creates a masculine/feminine contrast that I’m rather fond of. Working with colour this way creates lovely perspectives and brings a touch of modernity. The secret is to keep plenty of consistency while giving the spaces a real sense of rhythm.
The kitchen, once a bathroom, has become a multicoloured space…
Yes, in the kitchen, we started by creating this opening entirely from scratch. Then, to frame it, we painted a pattern of countless tile-coloured triangles. On the units, I dared to go for bold colours, choosing Plum fronts (ochre, tile and rosemary) paired with softer shades (ivory and dusky pink). I think this kitchen proves that multicoloured kitchens can work, and work beautifully.
What was the biggest challenge faced during this renovation?
The thinking behind the layout: redefining the spaces by making the most of what the flat had to offer. The idea was to open up the flow between rooms, while avoiding overly heavy demolition work. The living room wasn’t as spacious at the start. So the first step was to knock through the partitions to create this impressive, generous living space.
But for me, the bathroom, which is under 5 m2, was the real challenge of the flat, because it also houses the utility area and storage space for the things you’d rather keep out of sight. We had to think carefully about how to make the most of it, pushing the room’s limits as far as they’d go.
Tell us about the bedroom. What makes it so special?
Here we are in the bedroom of the flat, which features a multi-functional partition wall. Its first function is to hide the dressing room just behind it. The second is to define and ease movement around the bed. And the third, surely the most obvious, is to serve as a headboard. A nice little extra: the headboard includes a projector.
In every room, you've dotted the décor with little surprises. Rumour has it there's a rather curious detail in the bedroom…
In the flat, there are indeed several surprising little details. On the wardrobe, there are of course handles to open the doors, but I’ve placed two of them one above the other. I think it adds the kind of small touch you don’t usually see.
What's your secret for breathing soul into the spaces entrusted to you?
In interior design, I cherish the men and women behind the objects and furniture, the ones with gold in their hands. It matters to me to shine a light on the skills that demand real talent, and above all, years of practice in the gesture. That’s why I’ve selected several works of art, and in some cases even helped co-create them. Through their colours, these pieces echo the rooms of the flat and act as a common thread, a kind of visual marker, helping to bring harmony to the space. What matters most is the coherence of the decor.
A final word?
I thank the whole team of craftspeople who worked on the project from the bottom of my heart, for the quality of their work and their commitment. The finest projects are always a collective triumph.
Lucie Socrate's selection
She charmed you with her recent renovation project, "Comme un air de Rio". Plants and herbariums set the rhythm of this stylishly designed flat. Discover Lucie Socrate's selection and let yourself be guided.
Lucie Socrate
Interior Designer
Partners: Plum, Selency, Bonsoirs, The Naked Shop, By Charlot
Creators and artists: Margaux Keller, Afafaa, Olivia Dritzas, Valentine Benoist
Photo credits: ⓒ Hervé Goluza for Plum, ⓒ Mylène Comte for By Charlot
